Politically
the world is already leaning towards the right, following even worshipping
demagogues, building walls and fences, and becoming ever increasingly
isolationist. In fact, all Donald Trump has to do is secure
the GOP nomination to inspire conservative and rightwing elements elsewhere in
democratic countries and strengthen and legitimize autocratic leaderships
worldwide.
Fueling this trend and popular rage
against liberalism is simple: poor economics fuel strong negative emotions and
emotions are never logical. Lurking in the shadows and intensely following the
nightmarish American presidential race are rightwing European parties particularly
France’s National Front (FN) led by Marie Le Pen and Germany’s
relatively new Alternative for Germany (AfD) led by Frauke Petry.
Ironically because these parties are
maternally led, they are not considered as extreme or dangerous if they were
led by men whose comparisons to 1930s fascist dictators would have been
inevitable to shame them to dial back their rhetoric far more than their female
counterparts. It’s a savvy public relations move. Even Marie Le Pen performed
coup d’etat when she removed her outspoken father from the spotlight in order
to become more politically palatable and attractive to a wider audience.
Europe’s economic social safety net is fraying badly while they host over a
million migrants – a cultural invasion - that is competing for ever scarcer
resources. These political parties will gain considerable political influence
in the government and more importantly, on the streets, their de facto lobbying
group, in order to influence and even dictate policies in their favor.
Globalization performs exceptionally
well when the world economies do well but suffer severe blowback when it
doesn’t. Strong economies remove walls and fences while weak economies encourage
building walls and fences whether in Europe or the US.
The irony is that the racial,
ethnic, religious and other minorities within the US and Europe will be
targeted just as the migrants from the Middle East and Africans in their own
countries – worst case “open season” in releasing the racist horrors of
Pandora’s Box. The adage “it can’t happen here’ is crumbling” is weakening.
When particular conservative groups gain power, current laws protecting the
minorities and disadvantaged can be initially re-interpreted, then ignored, and
finally dismantled. And with fewer and fewer living Holocaust survivors to
personally retell their horrific tales of such trends, living witnesses will be
hard to come by to serve as a warning of this nefarious déjà vu.
So the glamorous 1930s timepiece
public relations atmosphere of glorious Art Deco architecture & design, the
wonders of luxury train trips, the revolution of the airplane, and art &
music cleverly paper over the severe misery shared by the majority of people
worldwide during the Depression. This time around our façade will be the newly
constructed luxury glass skyscrapers, huge commercial developments such as the
Hudson Yards to rival Rockefeller Center, and the high-tech capability with a
mobile in the palm of your hand vs. the telephone. But the reality for most of
the lower and middle class in Europe and the US will be more like Blade Runner
cyberpunk than ballroom dancing at the Rainbow Room.
Copyright Indo-Brazilian Associates LLC 2016. All rights reserved.
Indo-Brazilian Associates LLC is a NYC-based global advisory service and think tank with connections at the highest levels specializing in international investment, political and security risk assessments. International business is increasingly complex featuring a highly mobile professional class in all corners of the globe. We provide you the tools to successfully negotiate cross-culturally in your global business endeavors. Tell us about your challenges. We'll get you on the "Short List".
We provide executive coaching, speaking engagements, speechwriting and workshops. Contact us at www.indobrazilian.com
Indo-Brazilian Associates LLC is a NYC-based global advisory service and think tank with connections at the highest levels specializing in international investment, political and security risk assessments. International business is increasingly complex featuring a highly mobile professional class in all corners of the globe. We provide you the tools to successfully negotiate cross-culturally in your global business endeavors. Tell us about your challenges. We'll get you on the "Short List".
We provide executive coaching, speaking engagements, speechwriting and workshops. Contact us at www.indobrazilian.com
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